I had some free time, so I figured I'd try and put together a preview of what we might possibly get with the High-End 2011 iMac upgrade to Intel's new Sandy Bridge Processors:
(Source for Sandy Bridge Processor Specs: Here, and here)
- i7 2600 - Quad-Core @3.4 GHz. Turbos to 3.8 GHz 8 MB L3 Cache, 95W TDP
Let's take a look at the list. Assuming its accurate, there are only two Quad-Core Processors that are faster (GHz-wise) than the current i7 870 found in the 2010 High-End iMac, the i7 2600, and the 2600K. Assuming this article is accurate, the only difference between the 2600 and the 2600K is that the "K" has Overclocking enabled, while the non-K doesn't. Since Macs aren't exactly Overclocking Machines I doubt we'll get the K.
My guess at the i5 option they'll have would be:
- i5 2400 - Quad-Core @3.1 GHz. Turbos to 3.4 GHz 6 MB L3 Cache, 95W TDP
- ATI 5800/5900 - 5830, 5850, 5870/5970
In 2010 iMac Graphics took a big step up with the ATI 5750. Now, assuming Apple chooses to go farther than the 5700 line (seeing as even the Mac Pro can get a 5870) I'm assuming either a 5870, or possibly a 5970. I'll take a shot and guess that they're holding off moving onto the AMD 6000 line until they release their LightPeak iMacs, whenever that will be.
They might go back to NVidia Graphics, although I'm not too sure.
- Apparently no USB 3.0 support on these Sandy Bridges.
Well.... No surprise I guess.
- Dual-Channel DDR3 - 1600 RAM
Is usable, so we can probably expect this possibility. Maybe the RAM limit will get increased to 20 GB? 4x5 GB? Hm.
- 3rd Screen Size iMac - 25"/30"?
3rd Panel Size for the iMacs has already been confirmed by a Source. 25" or 30" maybe? Wonder if Apple listened to the feedback about lack of a 30" Screen after they released their new 27" Cinema Display. Would be awesome.
- Bigger SSD option? I doubt we'll get Flash Memory (think only the MBP will this year, possibly MacBook if they do anything with it. Case could really use an update at the very least.... I mean come on the plastic is melting!) but a bigger SSD option would be nice.
Overall if I'm (close to or even) correct on the Specs, it seems like we'll be getting one hell of a nice Machine, and quite big Spec improvements over the 2010 iMac.
Anyone else that cares to maybe take a shot at the Mid-End and Low-End ones, or even a Release Date? Pretty sure it'll be Q1 2011, so... January-April.
For all its worth, Firewire 1600 would be nice, although would be unexpected if they do implement it with LightPeak around the corner.
(Source for Sandy Bridge Processor Specs: Here, and here)
- i7 2600 - Quad-Core @3.4 GHz. Turbos to 3.8 GHz 8 MB L3 Cache, 95W TDP
Let's take a look at the list. Assuming its accurate, there are only two Quad-Core Processors that are faster (GHz-wise) than the current i7 870 found in the 2010 High-End iMac, the i7 2600, and the 2600K. Assuming this article is accurate, the only difference between the 2600 and the 2600K is that the "K" has Overclocking enabled, while the non-K doesn't. Since Macs aren't exactly Overclocking Machines I doubt we'll get the K.
My guess at the i5 option they'll have would be:
- i5 2400 - Quad-Core @3.1 GHz. Turbos to 3.4 GHz 6 MB L3 Cache, 95W TDP
- ATI 5800/5900 - 5830, 5850, 5870/5970
In 2010 iMac Graphics took a big step up with the ATI 5750. Now, assuming Apple chooses to go farther than the 5700 line (seeing as even the Mac Pro can get a 5870) I'm assuming either a 5870, or possibly a 5970. I'll take a shot and guess that they're holding off moving onto the AMD 6000 line until they release their LightPeak iMacs, whenever that will be.
They might go back to NVidia Graphics, although I'm not too sure.
- Apparently no USB 3.0 support on these Sandy Bridges.
Well.... No surprise I guess.
- Dual-Channel DDR3 - 1600 RAM
Is usable, so we can probably expect this possibility. Maybe the RAM limit will get increased to 20 GB? 4x5 GB? Hm.
- 3rd Screen Size iMac - 25"/30"?
3rd Panel Size for the iMacs has already been confirmed by a Source. 25" or 30" maybe? Wonder if Apple listened to the feedback about lack of a 30" Screen after they released their new 27" Cinema Display. Would be awesome.
- Bigger SSD option? I doubt we'll get Flash Memory (think only the MBP will this year, possibly MacBook if they do anything with it. Case could really use an update at the very least.... I mean come on the plastic is melting!) but a bigger SSD option would be nice.
Overall if I'm (close to or even) correct on the Specs, it seems like we'll be getting one hell of a nice Machine, and quite big Spec improvements over the 2010 iMac.
Anyone else that cares to maybe take a shot at the Mid-End and Low-End ones, or even a Release Date? Pretty sure it'll be Q1 2011, so... January-April.
For all its worth, Firewire 1600 would be nice, although would be unexpected if they do implement it with LightPeak around the corner.
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